ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 115 



dry and parched grass growing among the wormwood on the 

 hills. 



We have been considerably disappointed in not seeing any 

 buffalo to-day, and their absence here has occasioned some fear 

 that we may not meet with them on our route. Should this be 

 the case, we shall have to depend upon such small game, 

 hares, grouse, &c., as may happen to lie in our path. In a short 

 time, however, even this resource will fail ; and if we do not 

 happen to see Indians on the upper waters of the Columbia, from 

 whom we can purchase dried salmon, we shall be under the 

 necessity of killing our horses for food. 



We perhaps derive one advantage, however, from the absence 

 of game here, — that of there being less probability of lurking 

 Black feet in the vicinity ; but this circumstance, convenient as it 

 is, does not compensate for empty stomachs, and I believe the men 

 would rather fight for the privilege of obtaining food, than live 

 without it. 



The next morning we left Goddin's creek, and travelled 

 for ten miles over a plain, covered as usual with wormwood bushes 

 and lava. Early in the day, the welcome cry of "a buffalo! 

 a buffalo !" was heard from the head of the company, and was 

 echoed joyfully along the whole line. At the moment, a fine 

 large bull was seen to bound from the bushes in our front, and 

 tear off with all his speed over the plain. Several hunters gave 

 him chase immediately, and in a few minutes we heard the guns 

 that proclaimed his death. The killing of this animal is a most 

 fortunate circumstance for us : his meat will probably sustain us 

 for three or four days, and by that time we are sanguine of pro- 

 curing other provision. The appearance of this buffalo is not 

 considered indicative of the vicinity of others : ho is probably a 

 straggler from a travelling band, and has been unable to proceed 

 with it, in consequence of sickness or wounds. 



